Painting for Dummies

Next time I want to paint, I'll go buy that book.  Yes, I should've read it BEFORE painting for the first time, but I'm more of a jump right in and figure it out later kind of girl.  Of course, that means this project is the proverbial first pancake, but I'm ok with that.  I'm really just wanting to say I did it and do a decent enough job to be proud of, nothing fancy.

That said, I had planned on painting one wall.  Just the north wall in the downstairs living room.  The entire area is somewhat dark b/c it's the only dwelling space in the house with one lone window, so I thought it wouldn't stand out if I just did the one wall, in case it came out crappy.  I opted for the one wall with a window, thinking it'd be less work.  STOOPID.  At any rate, after I'd started, I realized that when I rearranged the furniture, the couch would be on opposing walls with two different colors.  UGH!  I consulted my friend, queen of painting anything and everything, who told me that I HAD to paint the other wall.

Now, we have another trip to the store to get another gallon of paint.  I think I'd have had enough for two coats on the one wall, but now that's a moot point.  Add to the list paint thinner/turpentine/whatever.  Yes, I started a painting project without it.  Thank God the paint washes right off if I get to it immediately.  I actually considered not buying a drop cloth b/c I was SURE I was tidy enough to not get one drop of paint anywhere it shouldn't be.  Have I mentioned that I'm new?  OK, so a trip to the store is in order.  Just for a couple of things.  Well, then I'm thinking that I could buy some inexpensive rags.  As if I can't make something out of old towels, but I'm going to the store.  Then, I decide that, after nine years of living here, I absolutely HAVE to get baseboards down in the few areas that don't have it.  Never mind that they won't match, it's a MUST. 

I have thoroughly come to understand how DIY home projects go awry and result in tons of money being spent and how people get lost at the home improvement stores.  I'm seriously thinking that in order to curtail the impulse, the home improvements must stop here.  After I buy my book.  And my paint.  And my baseboards.  Oh and a curtain rod and tie backs.  And...  

Season 15 DWTS FINALE

So, how many of y'all knew this was Derek's last season?  Are you bummed, too?  I sure am.  He is a fabulous choreographer.  Have you seen the Paso, he and Chelsie choreographed and danced?  I can't remember which season, but it is one of the best dances I've ever seen in my life and this from the girl who isn't in love with the Paso.  Of course, none of this has to do with the subject of this blog entry, mind you.

Last night, our remaining three teams, Derek & Shawn, Tony & Melissa and Val & Kelly all did their monster freestyle and then their repeat dance, which was a dance they'd done earlier in the season, whether to showcase their strength, again, or to improve in a weak area, it was up to them.

First to dance were Kelly & Val doing their repeat Paso.  It was awesome, even better than the first time and they finally got a (two) 10.  Their freestyle was done to Dirty Dancing's Time of My Life, which I personally feel is a risky move, but I was actually very pleased with it.  I really enjoy watching their chemistry and I'm gonna miss that.  Carrie Ann made a comment about not knowing whether or not they were an item, but how well they do together has gotten everyone caught up in thinking that they're witnessing a real, live fairytale and I agree.  I'm not sure it was really worth a 30, but so it got.  Honestly, I felt like the finales were pretty scaled down this season, but maybe I'm the only one thinking that.  They did allow them extra dancers and any sort of extra stuff to showcase their talent, but I just don't feel it was mega style.  Then again, Kelly did come onto the stage doing acrobatics suspended in air, so maybe I was just tired lol!

Melissa and Tony were up next and their repeat dance was to their Samba, which earned them a well deserved 30.  I never thought Melissa was a bad dancer, but if you're the 10th best dancer in the world surrounded by the other top nine it puts you in a bad position, which has been part of the problem.  However, they have REALLY risen to the challenge and their party dance was fun, fun, FUN!!  I still feel like she's teacher's pet and needs to get over acting surprised at every ten, but I really can't NOT like her, she's so cute and works so hard and has really improved, even though she started out really good.  Their freestyle was a beautiful contemporary number, but it was definitely too safe, too ordinary.  Beautiful, but not as competitive as I think it should've been.  Of course, the judges fell over themselves giving her praise, which I guess is fine.  You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

Shawn and Derek's repeat dance was their rule-breaking Quick Step.  First of all, not my favorite dance.  They could've showcased her for the finale much differently and done ANY other dance that was actually well received.  I'm a little pissed at Derek for talking Shawn into doing it "illegally", again.  He totally thumbed his nose at the judges.  Shawn is sure a sweet, loyal thing, making sure to totally stand by what they did, even though it was wrong.  The freestyle is the place for tricks, NOT the Quick Step and since they got low scores last time for breaking hold, why the hell would Derek even think they should do it, again?  Fans, schmans.  Well, ok, the fans are obviously a huge part of the show, which is a gigantic understatement, I know, but daaang, would it have been so hard to choose a different dance?  Really?  I think poor Shawn was in quite a spot and, like she said, she respects judges rules and has followed them her whole life, but for her, she really wanted to please the fans....or so she said.  Bruno did tell them that, in spite of the marks down for breaking hold, it took nothing away from what they've accomplished, which was really nice to hear, after Carrie Ann was a snarky you-know-what.  Their freestyle was danced as a collage of the season's greatest hits of theirs and they called on the Fab Five Olympian teammates of Shawn's, to help seal the deal.  It was really a phenomenal number, perfectly synchronized, totally stunning and, in my opinion, by far the best freestyle. 

SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT FOR PACIFIC TIME ZONE WATCHERS...........

DON'T SCROLL DOWN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW.......


















KELLY & VAL TAKE THIRD (as I predicted)
SHAWN & DEREK TAKE SECOND (as I feared)
MELISSA & TONY WIN SEASON 15!!!  

I'm honestly ok with this, it was fair, for once.  Not that Melissa has never had  any dance experience, she's hardly a novice, but I think she worked hard to get as good as she was and I truly felt it belonged to either her or Shawn.  Sure, I'd have preferred Shawn, I think she deserved it more, but give it to the teacher's pet, I'm good with that, too.

Reason #199 why I don't keep candy in the house

I've been about to bust, wanting to decorate the house for Christmas.  My rule is not until at least the day after Thanksgiving.  I wouldn't even allow myself to open the bags of Christmas themed candy before the designated date, seeing as how it's a rule and all.

So, yesterday, I gathered up the dish that holds that Christmas candy and proceeded to wipe down the outside, as some grime had collected.  While I'm doing that, I'm talking.  To the dish.  "Do you think that's clean enough now?  Whatcha thinkin?  Are you excited to get filled with candy?" 

I  know.  Odd, right?  Not so much when you consider that the second I'd filled that dish with candy, set it down, and turned my back, it called me.  BY.NAME.  Like, "Liiiisa...pppsssttt...aren't you excited to try some of the Christmas themed candy?  So what if it's regular candy dressed in pretty Christmas clothes, isn't it pretty?"  Which led me to try a piece...and about eight more.  Epic diet fail here.  Because of a freaking talking candy dish?  What the heck?

On another note, I was looking forward to the living room looking as if the Hallmark store threw up in it and I experienced nothing but glee on that front.  Adding to the excitement, I realized that I have enough boxed Christmas cards for about the next four years.  Evidently, I had a great time at the going out of business sale at my Hallmark store last year.

DWTS Season 15 Michael Jackson Tribute Week

Sorry, I've been lazy about posting, but the man was here and then we were in SoCal, so I've been a little busy.  I'm gonna do my best to get this week's published right about 9pm EST so that I can post the spoiler with it, as it's another double elimination week, going into the finals.

This week, each team had to do a fusion dance (read funky made up dances combined with real dances) and a dance to a Michael Jackson song.  They also had little dances here and there from the troupe dancers to some songs from the 25th anniversary CD (or DVD).  The point is, it was an entertaining night with music from the King of Pop.

Melissa & Tony danced a Caveman Hustle (stupid much?) to Walk the Dinosaur and I think they did as well as they could, given the dance itself.  The judges noted that she hobbled a little during her hustle moves, which I didn't see, but will take their word for lol!  Melissa is REALLY a good dancer and she works very hard.  Her figure sure shows it!  It's hard for me not to root for her because she's really that good, I think.  I do feel like the judges go overboard in their praise for her, at times, like she's teacher's pet and I hate teacher's pets, but she is very likeable and cute and fun.  Some girls have all the luck, right?!  Their second dance was an Argentine Tango, one of my very fave dances, to Dirty Diana.  I really felt like the music was too heavy for me to get into the dance.  It was a beautiful dance, don't get me wrong, I just didn't see the perfect 30 in it that the judges did.  ::shrugs:: 

Shawn & Derek first danced a Bhangra/Knight Rider fusion, which is...???  Yeah, they didn't know either.  The writers are grasping at straws trying to make the show new, but hello, the old formula was working fine...no?!  At any rate, they freaking nailed it and I now desire to dance Bhangra.  Like Derek said, forget Zumba.  I was screaming, clapping my hands, going nuts over this dance and it's the only one I rewound to be entertained, again.  Man, it hurts my heart to root against my Apol-OH, but I heart Shawn so much, I can't help it!  Their second dance was also an Argentine Tango, performed to Bad.  Shawn SERIOUSLY brings it.  Her competitive, fighting little spirit is bringing it large to DWTS, wow!  I've yet to see an Argentine Tango that rocks me to my core, like Maks and Erin's a few seasons ago, but for Shawn's age and life experience, I think she is just the cat's meow!

MMMApolo and Karina got screwed in their first stupid er fusion dance, if you ask me.  They had to do a Jazz/Bigtop number to Circus.  I felt bad for them, honestly.  First of all, my poor guy slipped running out onto the stage in the beginning of the number...I mean, what a time for a slip...and, as Carrie Ann said, it set a bad tone for the rest of the dance.  I agree with her comments that they seemed disjointed, but I really feel it was largely b/c of the lunacy of the dance.  Largely interpretive, I think Apolo did a wonderful, wonderful job, it's just the dance was flat out DUMB!  Their second dance, however, rocked the hizzhouse.  They did a rumba to Man in the Mirror that was smokin hot!!  VERY nice, indeedy!  Apolo, like Shawn, just thrives on the competition and you can see it in the performance.

Emmitt & Cheryl had to dance an Espionage/Lindy Hop.  I told you they were damn stupid, right?  They danced to Secret Agent Man and, really, I felt like all they had to do was Lindy Hop b/c there is no Espionage dance and I dunno how you could prove someone wasn't doing an espionage dance, right?  ::rolls eyes::  It was energetic and fun, but I really think it was obvious that it wasn't Emmitt's favorite night.  Their second dance was Tango to Leave Me Alone, which was fine, but I can't think of anything that stood out to me, for some reason.  Both their dances were just fine, but I think they needed a pinch more than just fine, at this stage in the game. 

Kelly & Val danced a Surfer Flamenco.  PPFFFTT!  They got chastised for not having enough Flamenco.  Whatever.  We did get a nice shot of Val's whole package lol with him in a little speedo.  That was interesting.  No extra points?  COME ON!  Their second dance was a Rumba to I Just Can't Stop Loving You and, naturally, they got robbed.  I swear the judges hate them.  Morons.  They should've gotten 10's and Val was obviously ticked off about it and I was, too.  It was a beautiful, moving, soul baring dance.  Someone get the judges some more fiber in their diet or something because the irregularity is getting to 'em!

OK....SPOILER ALERT....SPOILER ALERT........here's who got eliminated tonight......READY???


Yep, my boy Apolo is gone, along with Emmitt & Cheryl.  This was one of the weeks I really would've been happy to see them all stay, I must admit.  It's a sad night on DWTS.

So, that means that finals will be Shawn & Derek, Melissa & Tony and Kelly & Val.  I think it'll end in that order or with Melissa & Tony in first place just because she's teacher's pet lol!